Thai government denies weapons seizure a set-up

Multiple firearms are on display at a house linked to red-shirt member Wuthipong Kochathamkun, alias Kotee, in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district on Saturday. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

The government has dismissed as groundless a suggestion that the discovery and seizure of a huge cache of weapons from a house linked to Wuthipong Kochathamakun, alias Ko Tee, a hard-core red-shirt in Pathum Thani on Saturday, was a set-up.

The dismissal came from Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the government spokesman, on Sunday in responding to the suggestions that the discovery might have been arranged because the weapons and ammunition seized were still new and the owner of the house had not lived there for a long time.

He said the operation followed a lengthy investigation and intelligence operation.

Moreover, the operation was witnessed by a large number of reporters. The weapons and ammunition found looked new because they had been kept in well-sealed boxes hidden in secret spots, he added.

In yesterday’s operation, the two-storey house in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka district, which also serves as the office of Thai Max Group Co, was found to have a large number of weapons, including four M16 assault rifles, a shotgun, a carbine, an M79 grenade launcher and eight grenades, 11 hand grenades and more than 5,500 rounds of ammunition.

Also found in the raid were some bank passbooks and passports.

Lt Gen Sansern said the seized items would be kept as evidence for further investigations to nail the culprits because possessing such war materials was detrimental to national security. It was necessary for the government to handle this matter seriously, he added.

The spokesman said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed officials to look for those who were involved and take appropriate legal action.

He said the government does not want to link the discovery to past violent incidents.

The prime minister has insisted that Thailand must move forward with proper law enforcement and all culprits must be brought to justice, Lt Gen Sansern said.

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